This Valentine’s Day, find one-of-a-kind gifts at the Burchfield Penney Museum Store and support Western New York artists. From local greeting cards, silk scarves and ties, and gorgeous jewelry, we will help you choose the perfect present for your sweetheart. Receive a free gift with a purchase of $50 or more. Complimentary gift wrapping and museum members always receive a discount of 10 percent. Shop online at www.burchfieldpenney.org.

The Museum Store is open during gallery hours.

The International Center for Watercolor at the Burchfield Penney is an initiative built on the center’s dedication to the medium of watercolor. The Burchfield Penney hosts a watercolor lecture series, workshops, and demonstrations by renowned regional and national artists, educators, and critics to expose the community at large to the scope of this important and popular medium. For more information, e-mail Kathy Shiroki.

February's Programs

Friday, February 15, 12:30 p.m.
My Appreciation of Watercolor: A Personal View with Nancy Weekly

Saturday, February 16, 12:30–4:00 p.m.
Workshop: Watercolor 101 with Joe Whalen and Jeff Watkins

Thursday, February 21, 7:00 p.m.
Community Watercolor Roundtable: A Discussion for Collectors, Curators, and Practitioners of Art

Saturday, February 23, 12:30–4:00 p.m.
Workshop: Watercolor 102 with Rita Argen Auerbach

More watercolor programs, classes, and events can be found at www.burchfieldpenney.org.

The Burchfield Penney celebrates the opening of three new exhibitions as part of February's M&T Second Friday on February 8 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.: Being There: Bruce Jackson, Photographs 1962–2012 in the East Gallery; Suspended Motion: Sculptures and Watercolors by Ellen Steinfeld in the Charles Cary Rumsey and Sylvia L. Rosen galleries; and Selected Artists from Arts Work in the Community Gallery. The evening also includes a drop-in art workshop and open galleries until 8:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.burchfieldpenney.org.

The Anne Frank Project took its second group of Buffalo State students to Rwanda in January. The students were accompanied by Buffalo State alumni, professors, and donors. The trip was led by AFP director Drew Kahn and humanitarian Carl Wilkens. While in Rwanda, the students visited genocide memorials, orphanages, schools, wildlife parks, villages, prisons, and refugee camps. The students also had the opportunity to collaborate with Rwanda theater students in intensive performance workshops.  

Please come and see firsthand how our students personally witnessed and processed this intense journey to East Africa. All presentations are during Bengal Pause (12:30–1:30 p.m.) in the Donald Savage Theater and Communication Building 209. The presentations are free and open to the public:

Tuesday, February 12
"Rwanda: Proof That Big Things Come in Small Packages" (Shabar Rouse)
"Patience: The Bearing of Provocation without Complaint and How I'm Learning It" (Allison Monaco)

Thursday, February 14
"Compassion Is Not an Option; It Is a Responsibility" (Christina Metauro)
"Rediscovering Truth: Finding Ties in Rwanda" (Tieisha Thomas)

Thursday, February 21
"Heroism vs. Humanity: I Can’t Be Silent" (Lazarus Lynch)
"Light Coming from Darkness: The Paradox of Rwanda" (Frances Hughes)

Tuesday, February 26
"The Past Does Not Define Who You Are Today" (Deonna Dolac)
"Rwanda through the Lens: Eyes Wide Shut" (Christopher Stowell)

For more information, contact Drew Kahn, professor of theater.

Research data show that most people do not come close to making full use of their assets at work. In fact, only 17 percent of people in the workforce believe they use all their strengths on the job. Go Put Your Strengths to Work aims to change that through a six-step experience that will reveal the hidden dimensions of your strengths.

Monday, February 11, from 10:00 a.m. to noon in the Professional Development Center, E. H. Butler Library 181B. Please register by Friday, February 8.

Buffalo State is pleased to host the fifth annual Western New York Student Leadership Conference on Saturday, February 23, in the newly renovated Campbell Student Union.

The conference is designed to provide students from all universities and colleges throughout Western New York with an opportunity to further develop their leadership skills and inspire them to gain deeper knowledge about themselves as leaders, followers, and citizens in their own communities. The theme this year, "Today’s Vision, Tomorrow’s Reality," relates to new beginnings, embracing change, and forward thinking. More information about the conference can be found at www.buffalostate.edu/campuslife/x511.xml.

Come and see teams compete in the snowman-building contest today from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union lobby. Student Life will provide the snow, corn cob pipe, button nose, and all other supplies. Students bring the flair to make their marshmallow snowmen. Snowmen will be judged on creativity and appeal. The club or organization judged best overall will receive a pizza party.

Did you know that the recently reaccredited Child Care Center on campus offers a school-age summer camp? The Buffalo State Child Care Center Summer Camp is geared for ages 6 through 11 and runs from June 24 through August 23. The program includes many field trips and in-house enrichment activities. Tuition is $160 a week or $35 a day for part time. You can register for as many weeks as you like, but a minimum of two weeks is required. Please call the center at ext. 5335 for more information.

Nominations will be accepted through Monday, February 11, for the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Classified Service. This SUNY system-level award recognizes superior performance and extraordinary achievement by classified-service employees. Members of the Buffalo State community are encouraged to submit nominations for deserving colleagues.

The nomination form and award guidelines are available online. Thank you.

Students will learn how they can earn 6 credits studying in Salamanca, Spain, this summer during this information session on Thursday, March 21, at 7:30 p.m. in Bacon Hall 115. Students will find out how scholarships and financial aid can make it possible. They will have the opportunity to speak with past participants, view a PowerPoint presentation, sample authentic Spanish tapas, and enter a drawing for travel gear by filling out the first two pages of the application that evening. Family members and friends are also welcome to attend.